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Emergency Medical Care

When to Call 911

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Explore Urgent & Emergency CareWhen to Call 911

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If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 right away.

When Calling 911

The responders are ready to take care of your needs. Follow these steps when making a 911 call:

  • Speak calmly and clearly.

  • Give the name, address, phone number, exact location of the victim, and nature of the problem.

  • Don’t hang up until the dispatcher indicates you can.

  • Follow the 911 dispatcher’s guidance.

    • They may offer basic care instructions while you wait for the ambulance, suggesting actions such as locking doors, securing pets, or turning on porch lights.

Emergency Preparedness

In emergency care, timing is crucial. While emergencies are inherently stressful, preparation can empower you to face them head-on.

Recognizing Emergencies

Knowing how to identify the signs of a medical emergency is vital. Accurately interpreting and acting on these signs could potentially save a life, whether it's your loved one's or your own. Delaying care during an emergency can lead to severe consequences. Despite experiencing symptoms like those of a stroke or heart attack, many people don’t seek immediate care. It's important to remember that seeking care early in some conditions like a heart attack can improve your chance of recovery.

Signs & Symptoms

If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, you should seek medical attention by calling 911 or your doctor:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

  • Chest or upper abdominal pain/pressure

  • Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness

  • Changes in vision

  • Difficulty speaking

  • Confusion or changes in mental status, unusual behavior, difficulty waking up

  • Any sudden or severe pain

  • Uncontrolled bleeding

  • Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

  • Injury resulting in deformity or severe pain

  • Coughing or vomiting blood

  • Suicidal or homicidal feelings

  • Persistent or unusual abdominal pain

Training for During an Emergency

You can learn how to recognize and act in an emergency situation by taking a first aid class and learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). According to the American Heart Association, immediate bystander CPR can double a victim's chance of survival when initiated after collapse.

For information on local CPR classes, contact the American Red Cross at 860-678-2700 or the American Heart Association at 203-294-0088.

You can be a lifesaver during an emergency through interventions like CPR, direct pressure to stop bleeding, drowning prevention, the Heimlich Maneuver for choking, or helping someone who has overdosed. UConn Health provides training and education around crucial emergency topics, including first aid, CPR, firearm safety, and administering Naloxone for opioid overdoses.

Know the Steps to Take in an Emergency

When you or someone you're with experiences a medical emergency, understanding the right course of action is essential. For emergencies like heart attacks and strokes, immediate treatment is critical. How do you determine when to call 911 versus taking the person to the emergency department?

Ask Yourself These Questions:

  • Is the condition life-threatening?

  • Could the condition worsen and become life-threatening on the way to the hospital?

  • Could movement cause further injury?

  • Does the person require paramedic or EMT skills/equipment?

  • Could factors like distance, traffic, or weather delay reaching the hospital?

  • Could a paramedic help choose the most suitable hospital for care?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes or you’re not sure, call 911 for an ambulance. Even if you think you can get to the hospital faster by driving, 911 can bring you essential life-saving skills and medications, starting care sooner. Emergency crews are trained to begin medical treatment on the way to the hospital and can inform the Emergency Department in advance about the patient's condition.

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